Former Russellville Cyclones lineman Matt Hall played for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, the Ole Miss Rebels and the Belhaven Blazers throughout his college career. Hall’s professional career is yet to be determined after being picked up in free agency after the 2014 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. (THE COURIER / Travis Simpson)

At 6’9 and 326 pounds of solid muscle, former Russellville Cyclone Matt Hall looks the part of an NFL lineman.

Frankly, he looks like he could lift a car over his head if he felt like it. Handy if you’re going to be shoving around the best defensive linemen and linebackers the NFL has to offer.

Hall was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings in free agency after the 2014 draft and has survived the first round of cuts. He’s on the team — although his future is still questionable.

“All the rookies, we’re all there fighting for a spot on the roster. We’re technically on the team, but they can cut us whenever,” Hall said.

Hall will most likely find out his future after the preseason games which begin for many teams on Aug. 7. Hall will play his first down of professional football, albeit preseason, on Aug. 8 when the Vikings host the Oakland Raiders.

Even if he doesn’t make the team, it’s a dream come true. The entire experience, Hall said, has been unbelievable.

“You walk into the locker room and they’ve got your locker all set up and there’s Adrian Peterson and Matt Cassel and they’re all very kind because they remember what it’s like to be the rookie,” Hall said. “I kept thinking that I couldn’t believe I was finally here, but then I have to remind myself that I’m not quite there yet.”

Team camps haven’t begun, but Hall has spent time at practice with the team. Professional players are expected to already have the basic techniques and fundamentals down, so practice time is not wasted there. Practices haven’t been quite what Hall expected.

“They’re just not what you’d think,” he said. “They don’t want to do anything to over stress or injure our bodies. The practices aren’t laid back, but they’re light.”

A typical day during a Vikings summer practice might look like:

• Team meeting and breakfast at 7 a.m.

• Position meeting

• Hour-and-a-half of team practice

• Team lunch

• Workouts

• Team meetings and film, finished by 5 p.m.

Hall said his body mass index (BMI) is monitored every week by team trainers, and he’s gained five pounds and a lot of strength since working out with the Vikings. The team meals are “unbelievable,” he said.

“They feed us great food,” he said. “It’s a great way to train.”

Hall grew up watching the Dallas Cowboys and said it was a little strange dawning Vikings purple after a lifetime loyalty to Dallas.

“You get used to it pretty quick,” he said. “You think it’s going to be weird, but once you’re settled in you’re just happy to be on a team and that’s all you care about.”

Hall has two other players competing for his spot at offensive tackle. He feels good about his chances.

“I feel like everyone who came in here has an even shot,” he said. “We’ve already had two or three cut, and I’ve survived that.”

For now, he’s focused on rising above the herd — making it known to coaches and other players that he’s willing to put in the work required to play in the NFL.

“I just try to do the best I can,” he said. “I try and gain the respect of the starting linemen and the coaches because that can really help you.”